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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

The adage Third time's the charm rang true on Saturday 16th July as Paple Rayn marked its 3rd year in business in a wonderfully executed fashion showcase at Forest Mall Lugogo that featured collections from 5 designers as well as the debut of the Shadow Collection from the eponymous brand.
I'm not saying the first 2 events were something to scoff at, far from it, 2014 saw the launch of the online shopping platform and 2015 went one better with the launch of a mobile app and saw the CEO Suesanne Tusiime unveil her inhouse label Paple Rayn Hub that caters to the discerning fashion forward male.

Saturday's event though, dubbed a night of Fashion and Cocktails amped the stakes in the biggest, classiest and most epic showcase yet! And that is not hyperbolic in the slightest. Events Warehouse transformed half of the Forest Mall parking lot into a brilliantly lit runway and cocktail area that I imagine would have made even the famously nitpicky Kanye West proud.

The show, hosted by big brother alums Ellah and Denzel opened off with a soulful musical performance from guitarist Jonathan and after that it was nonstop jawdropping fashion. First down the runway was a ready to wear Afrocentric Collection from Mosaic fashion house. This was followed by a risque collection from Vencyz bridal that had some audience members wondering whether the looks were meant for the aisle or the bedroom!

And just when we thought we had seen it all, Lauma Lingerie dissuaded us of our innocent delusions. Walking alongside artiste Caeserous as he performed a medley of his hits, the models strutted what their mama gave them and then some in lace and satin numbers ranging from bra sets, negligees, corsets and one very daring panty that defies description, in a set up remiscent of the famed Victoria's secret fashion show.

The dance duo of Rozmerie and Viccy then came on to give the audience a breather with an electrifying performance before Anita Beryl of Beryl Qouture, straight off a successful run at African Fashion Week in Nigeria, showcased her latest bridal collection featuring luxe gold motifs and intricate lacework.

Next up was leather maestro KRapheal's turn to showcase and in what was debatably the most instagrammable moment of the night, he had model Ronnie Volts open for him by riding a hoverboard down the runway decked head to toe in his signature leather creations. Forgive this fashion blogger for thinking leather is a limiting material to work with, KRaphael certainly set me straight with look after look of flawless leather jackets, pencil skirts and pants.

The third musical act of the night was a symphonius performance by the new Paple Rayn brand ambassadors, the incomparable Sauti Ya Africa, which set up the mood for the audience to get a first look at the Shadow Collection from Paple Rayn Hub. The menswear label featured cape sleeves, shawl collars, double-breasted and biker jackets in a varied range of materials such as leather, velvet and faux croc skin all in muted browns and blacks. There was certainly something for every occasion be it an album launch or a cocktail dinner.

The event closed off with a moving speech from Paple Rayn CEO and designer Suesanne Tusiime who was dressed in a showstopping number of her own creation. Does this mean there's a womenswear collection in the pipeline? Please say it's so. At this rate Paple Rayn has me at the edge of my seat, I can't wait to find out what Suesanne Tusiime has up her immaculately designed sleeves next year!
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